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The Mentawai people inhabit a group of islands west of Sumatra, in Indonesia. For centuries, they have practiced a form of shamanism in which the art of tattoo plays an integral role. Tattoo designs pack immense spiritual power in the Mentawai belief system, connecting the body and soul with the spirits that reside in the plants and animals of the rain forest. By drawing on the power of their tattoos and in order collaborate with the spirits, the Mentawai shamans can heal, protect and instruct their people. It is in part thanks to the tattooed shamans that this Indigenous culture has been able to withstand the onslaught of colonization over the decades. In this episode, a shaman named Aman Jepri gives an apprentice the markings that will complete his initiation into Mentawai shamanism.

Exploring Indigenous tattooing traditions around the world. Each episode dives into a unique Indigenous culture to discover the tools and techniques, the symbols and traditions that shape their tattooing art.

Primary Title
  • Skindigenous
Episode Title
  • INDONESIA
Date Broadcast
  • Monday 20 July 2020
Start Time
  • 19 : 30
Finish Time
  • 20 : 00
Duration
  • 30:00
Series
  • 1
Episode
  • 3
Channel
  • Maori Television
Broadcaster
  • Maori Television Service
Programme Description
  • Exploring Indigenous tattooing traditions around the world. Each episode dives into a unique Indigenous culture to discover the tools and techniques, the symbols and traditions that shape their tattooing art.
Episode Description
  • The Mentawai people inhabit a group of islands west of Sumatra, in Indonesia. For centuries, they have practiced a form of shamanism in which the art of tattoo plays an integral role. Tattoo designs pack immense spiritual power in the Mentawai belief system, connecting the body and soul with the spirits that reside in the plants and animals of the rain forest. By drawing on the power of their tattoos and in order collaborate with the spirits, the Mentawai shamans can heal, protect and instruct their people. It is in part thanks to the tattooed shamans that this Indigenous culture has been able to withstand the onslaught of colonization over the decades. In this episode, a shaman named Aman Jepri gives an apprentice the markings that will complete his initiation into Mentawai shamanism.
Classification
  • G
Owning Collection
  • TV & Radio
Broadcast Platform
  • Television
Languages
  • English
Captioning Languages
  • English
Captions
Live Broadcast
  • No
Rights Statement
  • Made for the University of Auckland's educational use as permitted by the Screenrights Licensing Agreement.
Subjects
  • Tribal tattoos
  • Tattooing--History
  • Tattooing--Social aspects
  • Documentary television programs--Canada
Genres
  • Art
  • Community
  • Documentary
Contributors
  • Jason Brennan (Producer)
  • Candy Palmater (Narrator)
  • Pierre-Yves Martel (Composer)
  • Shirley K. Sneve (Executive Producer)
  • Nish Media (Production Unit)
  • Vision Maker Media (Production Unit)
  • Corporation for Public Broadcasting (Funder)
  • Aman Jepri (Subject)
  • Randy Kelly (Director)
  • Randy Kelly (Writer)
Subjects
  • Tribal tattoos
  • Tattooing--History
  • Tattooing--Social aspects
  • Documentary television programs--Canada